We recently connected with L.S. Johnson and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, L.S. thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I pondered on so many different aspects of financial growth, and saving “big”, but was never really taught how important saving money really is……..

I started thinking when I wanted to come up with the name and concept behind the brand:
Why save pennies when you can save dollars? For all those pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters put into piggy banks (I had a water bottle for a bank), if those was $1, $5, $10, and $20’s instead, it would be much more rich folks in the world! Honestly, I would be a six-figure guy by now.

The vision of this clothing line represents that thought; saving (or “stackin” as we say) on a large scale and on a more consistent basis to create a better financial future & a comfortable lifestyle. But also knowing it is more to it than just saving money; knowing how to manage it, invest it, knowing the power of using other people’s money (credit), and how to make money being your own boss-instead of just making money as an employee.

I consider Piggy Bank Stacks: Fashion meeting Financial Empowerment.
I created this because I wanted to create a brand that empowered people. Good clothes always make people feel good. It’s stylish and fashionable that has a meaning behind it; to have a better mindset about money.
The conversation or educating of financial literacy is little to none in urban communities. From the time I started my brand in 2013 to now it has become more of a conversation in entertainment, and on social media; but I feel it still has not reached the masses in places where poverty, low income communities, and working-class families need this knowledge and empowerment. We want to change that!!!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Piggy Bank Stacks: Founded in 2013 by L.S. Johnson; a Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn native that envisioned creating a brand that promotes “financial empowerment” in a cool, hip & fashionable way. My love for fashion, having a great sense of style from an early age (thanks to my mom), and wanting to promote a life aspect that can change peoples lives for the better financially; made me decide to start this company. At first, the vision for the company was just to be an independent clothing line that was geared towards urban street-wear fashion, but one with purpose, meaning, and awareness behind the brand. I later decided that the idea and message behind “Piggy Bank Stacks” was bigger than just a clothing line; I wanted a company that was focused on empowering individuals in underserved communities on the aspects of financial literacy. Starting with the importance of saving money (or “Stackin”, as we say). Outside of the merch we sell: t-shirts, sweatshirts/hoodies, hats, jackets, and custom pieces; we share financial tips with our customers, create workshops & webinars for individuals to be better aware of aspects to help grow their money (i.e: investing in stocks), and speaking with the youth about financial literacy-to help them get a head start on utilizing their money the right way so they can have a strong financial future as adults.

I feel Piggy Bank Stacks sets its self apart from other brands because we are not in business to just collect a profit and get rich. We care about making a change in the financial lives of people and giving customers more than what we sell in our store. We want to support them just as much (or even more) as they support us. When you spend with us, you know you are getting something in return-knowledge & empowerment. If I can change one person’s life and make them look good in the process-I’m proud of that accomplishment.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

My bi-weekly salary from my city job, a pension loan, tax returns, and even working Door Dash (as a side gig) helped to fund the start of my business. That’s why I always say its an “Independent” clothing line. My hard earned money went into everything from advertising/promotion to getting the online boutique up an running. I have never taken a business loan, received any business grants, or borrowed money from friends/family to start the business. Investing in myself, and what I have built so far has gave me a big sense of pride for not only my brand, but business in general. And one big thing I learned-it doesn’t take a lot of money to start a business. I believe most people who want to start a venture have the opposite mindset, which sometimes deters them from starting their own business.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

One book that I was blessed to be gifted during the start of my business was “Unlabel: Selling You Without Selling Out” by Marc Ecko. One thing he talks deeply about is creating an “authentic brand” which starts with being true to you and what you are building in a brand. A quote from the book that opened up my mind to creating a brand and being a better business owner was this: When you unlabeled and create an authentic personal brand, you will broadcast yourself differently to the world. You will think of yourself more actively, not passively. You won’t just use the social network, you’ll become the social network.” To me, this meant-create something that I want the world to see, not what the world is already seeing. or looking to see. Make sure that everything I do in my business comes from within and is true to my beliefs and feelings. These thoughts allow me to always make decisions and create from the heart and not just for my pockets.

Contact Info:

• Website: piggybankstacks.com
• Instagram: @piggybankstacksinc
• Facebook: @piggybankstacksinc

Image Credits
-Divine Photography -D.Jackson Photography